A $46 million parade, the first in Washington DC in more than 30 years, unfolded against a backdrop of protests and political violence

Washington DC was locked down and the capital’s airspace closed to flights as 6,500 troops marched down Constitution Avenue and helicopters flew overhead, fulfilling a long-standing ambition of Trump to stage a military parade — the first held in the American capital in more than 30 years.

Organisers for Saturday’s parade said they were expecting “hundreds of thousands” to attend but images of empty seats in stands along the parade route suggested turnout may not have been as high as hoped. It is possible the poor weather kept many at home.

The celebrations came just hours after a Democratic politician and her husband were shot dead in their Minnesota home by a man believed to be impersonating a police officer. Threats against other politicians in Texas were made on a day of widespread unrest and protests against the Trump administration, timed to coincide with Saturday’s $46 million event.

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[–] 157 points 1 year ago

What a sad, low energy, failing perade

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  • [–] 236 points 1 year ago (3 children)

    It is possible the poor weather kept many at home.

    Right. Because I'm going to buy a ticket to DC, rent a hotel room, tell my friends I'm going... and then not go because it's raining.

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  • [–] 199 points 1 year ago* (2 children)

    Meanwhile, millions of people showed up to protests in DC and other places with equally rainy forecasts. But sure, news, blame the weather instead of the fascism.

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  • [–] 46 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    To be fair, that article was overall pretty plainly stating that the protests were overwhelmingly more well attended. Yes they had one line that raised the possibility of weather as a factor, but I think anyone but Trump could see the facts as presented in the story telling the real story.

    Also went out of their way to characterize the protests as peaceful and the only politicians under violent threat were Democrats, despite the magnitude of protests.

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  • [–] 99 points 1 year ago (4 children)
  • [–] 12 points 1 year ago

    Yeah, how the fuck is the guy who dodged the draft for "bone spurs" trying to pretend he's all about our military?

    The hand-selected troops he had in the backdrop of his speech the other day hooting and hollering was insane. Like, do they not realize he is using them as props, and that he'd send them into danger for no other reason than his fragile pride? They are nothing to him. This guy is literal, real-life Farquaad.

    Lord Farquaad quote about sending people to die

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  • [–] 78 points 1 year ago (3 children)

    I like the "No Kings!" messaging, simple and pointed. We need a slogan that is short and sweet for the soldiers to use. Something that shows them they have agency in this.

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  • [–] 66 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    This brings me joy.

    Nothing is better than getting under his skin.

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  • [–] 61 points 1 year ago (6 children)

    Organisers for Saturday’s parade said they were expecting “hundreds of thousands” to attend

    Ah, bless 'em.

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  • [–] 46 points 1 year ago (4 children)

    it's possible the poor weather kept them at home

    It's also possible that's not the reason

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  • [–] 35 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    It didn’t stop the protestors. Millions came out.

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  • [–] 57 points 1 year ago

    I'm glad it went so poorly.

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  • [–] 94 points 1 year ago (10 children)

    I pray that this was his last birthday he celebrates above ground.

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  • [–] 46 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

    Monkey's Paw: His next birthday is spent underground because WW3 kicked off and he is in a nuclear bunker.

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  • [–] 16 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    How about we just tell him it's happened, hasten him to a bunker, and then let him take to some guy via radio that lets him think he's one of the few survivors.

    Hell, that'd be a good use for AI. Let it listen to his rambling and simulate a human response so nobody else needs to bother

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  • [–] 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    Hopefully he meets a peaceful end with an appropriate tie around his neck that shows how much people appreciate his life's works.

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  • [–] 71 points 1 year ago (9 children)

    Imagine being such a hated coward that you're literally surrounded by the military, and still have to hide behind bullet proof glass

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  • [–] 21 points 1 year ago (4 children)

    He's not going to risk one of his own taking more potshots at him again...

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  • [+] 16 points 1 year ago (4 children)
  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago (3 children)
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  • [–] 29 points 1 year ago (11 children)

    Jesus H Christ, Someone teach Trump how to salute…

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  • [–] 53 points 1 year ago (4 children)
  • [–] 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    Didn't they give Obama shit because he saluted even though he didn't go to the military?

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  • [–] 41 points 1 year ago

    They'd give him shit either way.

    Salute - He's not military!

    No salute - He's not respecting the troops!

    Presidents didn't salute until Reagan. Like many of the stupid things presidents do, Reagan started the bullshit, trump amplified it to 11.

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  • [–] 29 points 1 year ago* (1 child)

    For a man from hollywood he sure is bad at producing. Reagan was better at literally everything, where are our leaders!? Reagan was still a terrible leader…

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  • [–] 50 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    The 'weather' kept people away. You mean the cold front of fascism that has been pouring in???

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  • [–] 20 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    Someone should have recruited lots of obese men in army uniforms for the parade.

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  • [+] 37 points 1 year ago (4 children)
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    [–] 18 points 1 year ago
    [–] 16 points 1 year ago (3 children)

    Poor widdle guy got his ego bruised. Let’s make him some chicken soup.

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  • [–] 26 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    Here in San Diego alone, we had more than 20,000 for No Kings. Pussolini's bigly parade allegedly drew 10,000, and most of them left early looking for a Chick-fil-A.

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  • [–] 20 points 1 year ago (2 children)

    Not tossing a couple grenades into his pope box was a failing that our military may never live down.

    Zero risk. Would have become a hero.

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  • [–] 10 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    Trump is literally the dog in the burning house meme. This is fine.

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  • [–] 9 points 1 year ago

    I hope someone took a photo. $46million is a lot of our tax payer money to go to waste like that.

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  • [–] 7 points 1 year ago

    God, wouldn't that have been the perfect moment to turn all those tanks to point at the goldfish and minions in their glass bowl and quickly put an end to this mess? (yes I know it would start a new mess but still).

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  • [–] 17 points 1 year ago

    I think the location of that parade reviewing stand will make a great place to hang him upside down for public review.

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  • [–] 6 points 1 year ago

    It's just an open air catalog for Bibi to pick from. "Donald, I want that thing, two of the 6 wheel things, gimme a couple of the pointy cylinders with fins, and keep it coming!"

    Meanwhile, Zelensky is furious at getting a busy signal when he calls Donald.

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  • [–] 3 points 1 year ago

    "About time we celebrated???" Wtf

    Do the military want a parade for themselves? I bet they sure as fuck don't. This was all about you and your ego, fat-stain. Get bent.

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  • [–] 5 points 1 year ago
    [–] 2 points 1 year ago*

    Yeah I'm sure it was the weather. It feels like fascism's about to rain. Anyone's got an umbrella?

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  • [–] 4 points 1 year ago (1 child)

    We can no longer agree on reality so MAGA maggots are probably saying this was the biggest best most successful parade ever and worth every penny….. So what if No Kings had a lot of people - Trunps gonna continue Trumping tomorrow and Americans aren’t stopping him.

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago

    46 million dollars could have saved so many jobs....

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  • [–] 1 point 1 year ago